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In Memory of Carlos Luis Porras Hidalgo
1947-2010  It is with deep sadness that we inform the OTS community
about the sudden passing of Don Carlos Porras ("Porritas") on July
19. Carlos worked with OTS for 24 years of service, contributing greatly to the
development of the organization and, in particular, the education program. In
recent days we have received dozens of notes of condolence from teachers,
students and friends from around the world, expressing their condolences to his
family and OTS. He was a great friend and colleague and will be missed dearly. To read tributes to this kind man, please
visit the OTS website here.
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Undergraduate Recruiters are on the move!
In partnership with Duke
University, OTS proudly offers semester and summer programs for
undergraduate students interested in field biology. Our Costa Rica
Semester and Summer Programs utilize all three OTS field stations as
well as other Costa Rican sites, allowing direct study of a wide range
of tropical ecosystems and habitats. The South Africa Semester Program
is based at the world-renowned Kruger National Park, allowing direct
study of African savanna ecosystems. All of our Undergraduate Offerings
feature the OTS method of field-based, experiential learning under the guidance of highly qualified Ph.D.-level professors.
The process of identifying and selecting qualified students is lengthy. Every semester, the Undergraduate Recruiting staff
travels to colleges,
universities, and conferences promoting OTS opportunities for
undergraduate students and talking with prospective students.
September Visits
Amherst College
Austin University
Beloit College
Brown
University
Carleton College
Clemson University
Columbia University
Davidson College
Duke University
Elon University
Emory University
Georgetown
University
Grinnell College
Gustavus Adolphus College
Hampton University
Harvard University
Hendrix College
Holy Cross University
Howard University
Kenyon College
Macalester
University
Middlebury College
North Carolina
State University
Oberlin University
Providence College
Quinnipiac University
Smith College
Southwestern
University
St.Michael's College
St. Olaf
College
Trinity
College
Trinity
University
Tufts University
University of Arkansas
University of
Florida
University of Illinois
University of
Miami
University of
Minnesota -Morris
University of Missouri
University of North
Carolina - Chapel Hill
University of Texas
- Austin
Washington University
Wellesley College
 The team will continue to travel through October and they also maintain an active online presence via Facebook.
If you are interested in meeting with one of our recruiters, would like to recommend a student, or would like to receive an informational presentation to share with prospective students, please e-mail Patty Kustron at pkustron@duke.edu.
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| | Inauguration of MRI Towers at La SelvaOn August 18 the La Selva MRI Towers were officially inaugurated with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
 This elaborate configuration of walk-up towers, a canopy
bridge, and several radio towers in the old growth forest at La Selva
Biological Station is the product of several years of planning, two years
(10,000 person hours) of construction, and the financial support of the NSF
cross-cutting program on Major Research Instrumentation designed to "increase
access to shared scientific and engineering instruments for research and
research training."
 The tower system is supplied with environmental sensors
(temperature, light, and humidity), cameras, and mobile devices that can move
through the canopy via remote control. Individual research projects utilize specialized equipment such as sound
recording devices and scintillometers. Power
is supplied by electrical and fiber optic cables that run underground from the
laboratory out to the array. Data from
the sensors may be transmitted by fiber optic cables or wirelessly through
internet connections among the towers and other points at La Selva.
Exciting research is already underway using this tower and
sensor system, including the projects of Dr. Mitch Aide (University of Puerto
Rico) on automated remote biodiversity monitoring (ARBIMON) of frog and bird
calls and of Dr. Steven Oberbauer (Florida International University) on ecosystem
processes during dry season.
The PASI (Panamerican Advanced Studies Institute) workshop
on "Research Use of Sensor Networks" currently running at La Selva was
custom-designed to introduce 30 young researchers from North America and Latin
America to the La Selva MRI system and also to the amazing opportunities for
transformative, integrative research using advanced sensor systems. The course is coordinated by Dr. Phil Rundel
(UCLA), Dr. Carolina Murcia (OTS), and Dr. Alex Gilman and supported by more
than a dozen leading researchers in biology and engineering fields.
Researchers interested in investigating this
unique infrastructure should contact the La Selva station director, Dr. Deedra
McClearn at deedra.mcclearn@ots.ac.cr |
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. | Auction Items The 3rd Annual OTS Online Auction is scheduled for late November, just in time for holiday shopping. The auction will
include a number of fun and unique items to raise money for our core
programs -- undergraduate and graduate programs -- and the more items
we have
the more money we can raise, so we're asking for your help. 
Give
a little and get a lot in return.
Whether you have 1 item or 100 to contribute, your participation is an
invaluable part of our fundraising efforts. By donating an item or service
directly online, you'll be helping to raise money for students and researchers.
We
are looking for items that would be of interest to the OTS community at large:
travel and adventure
opportunities
one-of-a-kind
experiences (i.e. a dinner with a special guest)
As a non-profit organization, all auction donations are tax-deductible. If
you have an item you are considering donating to the auction, please contact Cathleen
Lemoine at OTS, 919.684.6969, or e-mail cathleen.lemoine@duke.edu. |
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